With NASCAR’s mandate to eliminate testing at NASCAR-sanctioned speedways for the 2009 season, the Goodyear tire test provided all four engine manufacturers (Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge and Toyota) the chance to collect valuable data not only for the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season next month in Daytona Beach, Fla., but also for the Samsung 500 Sprint Cup Series race that will be held at TMS on Sunday, April 5.

TMS officials said the Goodyear tire test marked the first official test of the 2009 season, according to a news release.

NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton (Chevrolet), along with 2004 Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch (Dodge), Yates Racing’s Travis Kvapil (Ford) and Michael Waltrip Racing’s David Reutimann (Toyota), all participated in the tire test. The test session was held on a day where the temperatures reached the mid-70s, which were ideal testing conditions.

“I had to tap my computer screen a few times because I could not believe it was 72 (degrees) here today, and that was perfect because it emulates the temperatures we will probably see here in April,” Busch said. “Testing days are limited and with us being able to get on a track that we race on with the potential tire that we use in April makes it a vital day. Track time is one of the things you put on the top of your list. These days are far and few between, and we are very happy to be here.”

Reutimann said the tire test session gave him an opportunity to get back in a race car and start preparing for the grueling 36-race season.

“It seems like a long time since I’ve been in a car,” Reutimman said. “It’s good to get back.”

TMS officials said the new testing policy will provide an opportunity for smaller teams like Yates Racing to gain ground on the competition.

Kvapil, who drives for Yates Racing, said the new testing procedure will help close the gap between smaller and larger teams. Prior to NASCAR’s rule change on testing, larger teams often spent numerous amounts of money on testing. Now the playing field is more level.

“Our group is pretty pleased with the new rule,” Kvapil said. “The other teams that did all the testing last year are not going to get those big steps ahead of us.”

Kvapil added that the information collected from today’s session will go a long way in improving his race team. He hopes to improve on last year’s season, where he finished 23rd in the final standings.

“It’s very important to take home all the info we can,” Kvapil said. “It gives us a chance to try a few things, try a few ideas. To come to a place like Texas where it’s fast and you really have to be up on the wheel, it’s exciting.”

TMS officials also said that tickets for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Samsung 500 and Nationwide Series O’Reilly 300 double-header weekend in April are on sale and are available by calling (817) 215-8500 or visiting www.texasmotorspeedway.com.